Iron supplements: Should you be taking them? Signs you could be deficient in the mineral

IRON supplements are taken by millions of people, but should you be taking them? If you’re at risk of an iron deficiency taking them could be beneficial. So what signs of an iron deficiency should you be looking out for?

Iron supplements: Should you be taking them? Four signs indicate you have an iron deficiency (Image: GETTY)

Bupa explains: “Your body needs nutrients like iron to make something called haemoglobin.

“Haemoglobin is a key part of your red blood cells and without it, they can’t work properly.

“You may become deficiency in iron if you lose a lot of blood, you’re not getting enough iron in the foods that you’re eating, and your body is using more iron than usual - for example, if you’re pregnant.”

If your diet is partly causing your iron deficiency, your GP may advise you to eat more foods rich in iron.

Foods rich in iron include dark-green leafy vegetables like watercress and curly kale, cereals and bread with extra iron in them (fortified), meat, and pules such as beans, peas and lentils.

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Iron supplements: You may need to take them if you feel tiredness and lack of energy (Image: GETTY)

Iron supplements: You could require more of the mineral if you experience noticeable heartbeats (Image: GETTY)

You should also eat and drink less tea, coffee, milk and dairy, and foods with high levels of physic acid, such as wholegrain cereals, which can stop your body absorbing iron from other foods and pills.

Iron deficiency is the world’s most common nutritional deficiency - the World Health Organisation says around 25 per cent of people worldwide are anaemic due to an iron deficiency.

So what happens if your iron deficiency is left untreated? If the condition is left untreated, the NHS states it can make you more at risk of illness and infection or may increase your risk of developing complications that affect the heart or lungs - such as an abnormally fast heartbeat or heart failure.

In pregnancy, it can cause a greater risk of complications - before and after birth.